Belt buckle



Oct. 1l, 1938. G, R EATON 2,132,608

BELT BUCKLE Filed April 26, 1957 III. Ill

l ZV 7 5 f4 V @mmm ATTO'RNEY Patented oct. 11, 193s *PATENT- oFFice 5'"BELT BUCKLE ef George R..l Eaton, Denver, Colo.` Appucaucn April ze,1931, serial No. 138,919

z claims..y (cl. :a4-17s) This invention relates l to improvements` inbuckles, and has reference more particularly to a. belt buckle..v

The buckles usually employed in connection with mens belts are ofthetype known as harness buckles and are of a substantially commonconstruction with the exception that the frame is somewhat ornamental.

It is the object of ,thisl invention to produce a buckle suitable foruse with mens belts that shall be so constructed that v practically theentire length of the tongue will be exposed when the belt is inposition, which makes it possible to apply to the tongue lettersindicating the initial of the wearer or any other insignia orornamentation.

The invention, briey described, consists in replacing the ordinarybuckle tongue with a tongue made of a flat wide strip of metal havingone end provided with an eyelet which encircles one, transverse bar ofthe buckle and the other end being in position to lap the other crossbar of the buckle. The tongue is straight from the free end to a pointnear the eyelet and is connected with the latter by a section thatextends practically at right angles vto the straight portion. 'I'hisshort section serves as a shoulder that cooperates with the belt in amanner that will become clear as the description proceeds.

Having thus briey described the invention, the same will now bedescribed in detail and for this purpose reference will be had to theaccompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated in itspreferred form and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved buckle that forms the subject ofthis invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the buckle;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a belt showing the same provided with one ofthe improved buckles; and

Figure 5 is avsection taken on line 5-5 Fig. 4.

The buckle, as above stated, is of the type known as a harness buckleand consists of a substantially rectangular frame having a front crossbar 6 and a rear cross bar 1. Corresponding ends of the cross bars areconnected by side members 8, which are preferably curved inthe place.The reverse bend terminates in a short section Il whose end is formedinto an eyelet l2 that encircles the cross bar 1.' As will be seen fromthe drawing, the free end of the tongue laps the front cross bar E butdoes not extend beyond the latter.

In Fig. 5, abuckle constructed as above described, is shown attachedto abelt. One end ofthe belt I3 is doubled and encloses the rear cross bar 1ln the manner usual in belt construction. Two loops I4 and I5 aresecured to the belt near the buckle in the manner shown in Fig. 5. 'I'heother end of the belt, which has been designated by reference numeralI6, is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings i1, of theproper size to receive the tongue 9. When the belt is buckled, one ofthe openings in the belt is positioned beneath the reverse bend, I0 withits edge engaging the part Il, which forms a shoulder that holds thebelt in position. It will be clear from Figs. 4 and 5 that after thebelt has been buckled, the straight part of the tongue will be exposedso as to be visible for its entire length and this exposed portion maybe ornamented in any way, such as by being engraved or letters 25 may beattached to it in any desired manner or they may be applied byengraving, as above mentioned. Instead of the letters which usuallyindicate the wearers initials, insignias such as are employed by lodgesand fraternities may be engraved on the tongue or applied toit.

It will be seen from the above that by the simple expedient of replacingthe ordinary tongue of a harness buckle with a tongue constructed in themanner shown and described, a buckle is obtained that lends itselfadmirably to ornamentation and makes it practical to apply initials toit in the same manner as initials are now applied to necktie holders andsimilar articles of jewelry.

If the buckles are sold through the general trade, the constructionshould be such that preformed letters cani be readily applied as thismakes it possible for the merchant to supply any combination of lettersdesired. For more expensive buckles, the letters can be engraved on thetongue.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. An ornamental belt buckle, having a frame provided with a cross barat its front end, and a cross bar at its rear end, corresponding ends ofthe cross. bars being joined by curved sides, the rear cross bar beingin a plane lower than the front cross bar, a widegtongue having one endprovided with an eyelet for enclosing the rear for a distancesubstantially equal to the distanceA between the front and rear crossbars, the rear end of the tongue terminating in a reverse bend, theforwardly extending portion of the reverse bend being connected to theeyelet by a section substantially perpendicular to the straight portion.v

2. An ornamental belt buckle having a trame provided with a cross baratits front end and another cross bar at its rear end, correspondingends of the cross bars being 4joined by curved cross bar to i'orm apivotal connection therewith,

sides, the rear cross bar being in a plane lower than the front crossbar. a wide tongue having one end provided with an eyelet for enclosingthe rear cross bar to ifoxxriV a pivotal connection there;e with, thefree end oi the tonguelapping the front cross bar, the tongue beingstraight from its free end for a distance substantially equal to thedistance between the front and rear cross bars, the

GEORGE R. EATON.

